Researchers from South Korea's KAIST and Stanford University developed clothing embedded with air-powered "vine" robots that can dress a wearer hands-free [1].
The technology provides a critical solution for environments where rapid or assisted dressing is essential. It is designed for use in chip-factory cleanrooms, emergency services, and as assistive technology for individuals with limited mobility [1, 2].
The system utilizes soft robotics to automate the process of putting on garments. These vine-like robots are integrated directly into the fabric to manipulate the clothing around the body [1]. The research team said the process takes about 10 seconds [1].
The project involved collaboration between labs at KAIST in South Korea and Stanford University in the U.S. [1, 2]. Specifically, researchers Kim Nam-gyun and Ryu Jee-hwan contributed to the development of the system [1, 2].
This innovation was first unveiled in 2024 [1, 2]. The focus remains on improving the efficiency of donning protective gear in high-stakes environments, such as hazardous material sites, where manual dressing can be slow or contaminated.
By removing the need for manual manipulation, the robot clothing reduces the risk of human error during the dressing process. The integration of air-powered actuators allows the clothing to conform to the wearer's shape without requiring rigid mechanical joints [1].
“The process takes about 10 seconds.”
The shift toward soft robotics in apparel suggests a move away from rigid exoskeletons toward integrated, flexible systems. By reducing dressing time to seconds, this technology could significantly decrease response times for emergency personnel and increase independence for people with physical disabilities, while streamlining sterile protocols in semiconductor manufacturing.
